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Langstone Cutters 2009 Summer Regatta
The Langstone Cutters Summer Regatta took place Saturday 27th June starting at 13:00. A mix of Langstone Cutters and visitors from Gravesend Rowing club meant we had 9 teams racing 3 Claytons. One of the main aims of our regatta was to give everyone the opportunity to row as much as possible, especially our guests from Gravesend. Therefore each team raced 3 times around our predetermined course in Chichester Harbour and in every race they rowed against two teams they had not rowed against before. We tried to mix up the use of the boats and coxswains but with limited success.
Points were scored for each race: 3 for a win, 2 for second place and 1 for third place. The team with the most number of points at the end of the day was declared the winner. In the event of a tie the total times taken would have been used to differentiate places.
Saturday morning dawned bright, clear and very warm as the gazebo erection party found out as we constructed the jigsaw puzzle that are gazebos not used very often... no matte r we had shade now in key spots.
As time ticked on we watched and waited for the water to appear in Chichester Harbour.... boy did it take its time. Around 13:30 we were able to collect the Langstone Cutters Claytons Galdys & Mabel from their moorings (just).
By 14:00 we had all rowers mustered and in their teams getting ready for the first race. The first race was a challenge due to the lack of water but after moving the start line a bit further out Nigel, our starter for the day, managed to get them started. Off the three teams went rowing like crazy.
 As each race finished we had the worn out crews out of the Claytons and on t he beach in no time. The new crews for the next race embarked, pushed off and headed for the start line quickly. It looks like chaos but it was organised chaos which worked. Consequently we made excellent use of the tide and managed to complete all nine races (see below for the race times and placing table).
Racing continued throughout the afternoon with some close racing and some very fast times. The Gravesend A team managed one race of 1.6 miles in 16 minutes 04 seconds - the fastest of the day. 
The detail of the final results can be seen below but the overall results were:-
1st Gravesend A team
2nd Langstone Skuas
3rd Langstone Terns
With the nine races over there was sufficient water to enable our “new” boat Bembridge to be launched. This gave both Gravesend and Langstone rowers a chance to experience the long and sleek bat that is Bembridge.
 After the rowing the party started.... with a superb BBQ prepared by Frances, Dawn & Jenny we all fed well. The food and drink consumed, raffle prizes drawn it was time for the prize giving.
There are many many thanks to give to all who set up the regatta, organised the racing, performed starting and safety boat roles also well as those who prepared and organised the refreshments and BBQ -- all too many to mention individually so THANK YOU ALL!!!
You can view the full gallery of photos from the regatta in the 2009 Regatta Gallery
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